MKFan-PR
Certified MK Freak! Work is what I do for Vacation
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2002
- Messages
- 495
The Cast:
Me MKFan-PR, 37. Absolutely, 100%, government-certified WDW freak. Enthusiast doesnt quite cut it. Fell in love with the place since the first time my parents took me when I was 5.
DW, 41. Married with me for 11 years. Guess where weve gone on vacation for most of them? Doesnt like thrill rides but loves strolling, window shopping and dining on Epcot.
DD, 6. Well call her Cookie (my pet nickname for her). This trip is supposed to be celebrating her good grades and performance in 1st grade at school (at least thats what I tell people! ). Shes been dreaming about it since I mentioned the possibility way back in October.
Our previous installments:
Day 1: Were here!...Our bags will follow shortly
Day 2: MGM and the baked MKFan Family
Day 3: MK, ducks, and the grilled MKFan Family
Day 4-8/1: AK and the sautéed MKFan Family
Another day of 8:30 AM wakeups, without a single BEEP BEEP. Am I homesick?
Well, let me put it this way:
There's nothing better for me than mornings at WDW... The day is just ahead of you, full of surprises and things to do and see. Who knows how much fun you'll have, or what magic you'll find today...
What?... Oh, yeah... breakfast. Yes, Daddy will go get it now... Well, back to reality...
Today is AK day, so after our breakfast and some Kim Possible, we head out to the bus stop, Jazz station. After the requisite visit to POR to pick up their guests, we arrive, breeze through security and we head to our adventure.
Well, right after this brief bathroom break for the ladies...
While the ladies explore the exotic AK restroom facilities, I call to get my DDE card, which I'll pick up at Epcot later today. I love WDW, but if I can save some money when I'm here, even better
I'm going to spend the savings here anyway...
We head through the Oasis, looking at some nice birds along the way.
Wait here come the guidebook voices again Dont look at the animals go straight to the attractions
Hey! Cut it out! If I wanted to follow orders, Ive wouldve stayed working!
As we arrive at the Tree, we decide to go to ITTBAB inside (for its nice A/C, since the sun today is set on TOAST). As usual, this is great, and I love to see peoples reactions when the bugs exit the theater (I pre-emptively had to put Cookie in my lap; she was a bit nervous about that part).
Once were out, we decide to explore Counter-clockwise, heading to Asia first. First stop: KRR. The wait is one of the two longest well see: 30 minutes. No problem. DW opts out (thrill-ride phobic, like I said), in spite of the pleading by Cookie and myself for family togetherness
.
The waiting / pre-show area in KRR is very nicely node, with lots of detail, just like the Disney standard. The actual ride, beside the raft, doesnt have that much. But the truth is that its a fun ride.
Actually, Cookie gets a little anxious with the first climb, but since its not much of a drop, she settles down. Shes wearing her poncho. Which is good foresight on our part. When we hit the first drop KER-SPLASH we get SOAKED! Cookie is nice and dry under her poncho, but Daddy is DRENCHED! I have water up my wazoo!
Cookie loves the ride, and we exit to find DW. Now the ladies and me and my wet wazoo head to the Jungle Trek. We see bats (without the glass), tigers and some beautiful birds.
Now its on to Africa. A few pictures along the way, along with a cool show by the African drummers. We take a trip on KS. The poachers, of course, are still after Little Red. Man those guys never learn!
We see lots of animals, including DWs and Cookies favorites: giraffes, up close and personal! A rickety bridge that sways scares my wet pants off! I dont remember that one!
.
After the Safari, we explore some of the trail, and we FINALLY see the Gorillas. Actually three of them, one after the other. Very cool but wait what is that smell?
P-E-W!!! Is that the gorillas? Man!
Boy, those gorillas stink! Cookie expresses it brilliantly: Daddy, those gorillas stink!. Couldnt have said it better, girl!
After the nice experience, we realize that the only reason we werent sick to our stomachs with the gorilla aroma is that we havent had lunch! Thankfully, were in the perfect location: Tusker House! One of our favorite counter restaurants. DW has salmon, while I enjoy a wrap and Cookie has nuggets. BTW, the wrap comes with Corn Chowder. Im hesitant to try it at first, but I do and Mmmmm, Me like it!
Its now the afternoon, and we carry on towards Camp Minnie-Mickey for the Lion King show, stopping for some frozen lemonade along the way. We notice then that the ropes for the parade have been put and, since its almost time, we find a nice spot and watch it. The animal floats are ingenious. Of course, half of the parade is made up of families (Cookie actually asks Daddy, who are those characters? When I explain, she says Oh, so thats why I havent seen them in a movie! :rofl: ).
After the parade, we head to the Lion King show, where were seated in the Giraffe section (DW and Cookie love it), just as it starts to pour. We learn the sound it makes (who knew they actually made sounds!). The show is awesome. Very well done, and the acrobats are great. Cookie loves it.
After that, we stop for pictures with Minnie and others. At this point, since its close to 5:30 PM, we decide to exit AK and head to Epcot for my DDE card and the rest of the evening. So the ladies and me and my still-wet wazoo exit and hop on the bus.
At Epcot, after getting the card, we get a stroller (to pro-actively deal with tired child later). We head to the Land, to check out the location of Soarin and to see its status.
Well, the status is BURSTING WITH PEOPLE!
The wait time is in the Triple Digits. We opt for the Ling with the Land ride, plus the Circle of Life film. Since were there, and there are so many options, we decide to have dinner at the Food Court there. The savings with the DDE card will have to wait, since they dont take it there.
We now stroll leisurely towards Mexico. Today is EMH day at Epcot. We think about it, but decide against it, since well be here tomorrow. We visit the Mexico pyramid, where we ride the River of Time ride, traveling back in time to the Mexico of the late 70s / early 80s (check out the bathing suits and hairstyles in the beach scene!).
Our trip takes us to Norway, where we ride the Maelstrom, then exit to stake a nice spot close by to watch IllumiNations. I get a nice (though watery) Capuccino for DW and soft drinks for me and Cookie to enjoy with some pastries, while we enjoy the show. Its awesome, of course. This was THE fireworks show at WDW, until Wishes, and it hasnt lost its ability to awe. Great!
As the EMH guests keep arriving, we exit the park. At the bus station, we wait for a second bus, since were not in the mood for standing.
Uneventful return to the sanctity of POFQ, where we freshen up, and after a Pink-lemonade break, the ladies drift to sleep. I watch a little TV before going to sleep (ESPN! ESPN, please!), stopping along the way on the Top 7 Must-Sees, with the squeaky-voice girl. She tries hard, but man, I miss Christa.
Tomorrow Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Stay Tuned!
Me MKFan-PR, 37. Absolutely, 100%, government-certified WDW freak. Enthusiast doesnt quite cut it. Fell in love with the place since the first time my parents took me when I was 5.
DW, 41. Married with me for 11 years. Guess where weve gone on vacation for most of them? Doesnt like thrill rides but loves strolling, window shopping and dining on Epcot.
DD, 6. Well call her Cookie (my pet nickname for her). This trip is supposed to be celebrating her good grades and performance in 1st grade at school (at least thats what I tell people! ). Shes been dreaming about it since I mentioned the possibility way back in October.
Our previous installments:
Day 1: Were here!...Our bags will follow shortly
Day 2: MGM and the baked MKFan Family
Day 3: MK, ducks, and the grilled MKFan Family
Day 4-8/1: AK and the sautéed MKFan Family
Another day of 8:30 AM wakeups, without a single BEEP BEEP. Am I homesick?
Well, let me put it this way:

There's nothing better for me than mornings at WDW... The day is just ahead of you, full of surprises and things to do and see. Who knows how much fun you'll have, or what magic you'll find today...
What?... Oh, yeah... breakfast. Yes, Daddy will go get it now... Well, back to reality...

Today is AK day, so after our breakfast and some Kim Possible, we head out to the bus stop, Jazz station. After the requisite visit to POR to pick up their guests, we arrive, breeze through security and we head to our adventure.
Well, right after this brief bathroom break for the ladies...

While the ladies explore the exotic AK restroom facilities, I call to get my DDE card, which I'll pick up at Epcot later today. I love WDW, but if I can save some money when I'm here, even better
I'm going to spend the savings here anyway...

We head through the Oasis, looking at some nice birds along the way.
Wait here come the guidebook voices again Dont look at the animals go straight to the attractions
Hey! Cut it out! If I wanted to follow orders, Ive wouldve stayed working!
As we arrive at the Tree, we decide to go to ITTBAB inside (for its nice A/C, since the sun today is set on TOAST). As usual, this is great, and I love to see peoples reactions when the bugs exit the theater (I pre-emptively had to put Cookie in my lap; she was a bit nervous about that part).
Once were out, we decide to explore Counter-clockwise, heading to Asia first. First stop: KRR. The wait is one of the two longest well see: 30 minutes. No problem. DW opts out (thrill-ride phobic, like I said), in spite of the pleading by Cookie and myself for family togetherness

The waiting / pre-show area in KRR is very nicely node, with lots of detail, just like the Disney standard. The actual ride, beside the raft, doesnt have that much. But the truth is that its a fun ride.
Actually, Cookie gets a little anxious with the first climb, but since its not much of a drop, she settles down. Shes wearing her poncho. Which is good foresight on our part. When we hit the first drop KER-SPLASH we get SOAKED! Cookie is nice and dry under her poncho, but Daddy is DRENCHED! I have water up my wazoo!
Cookie loves the ride, and we exit to find DW. Now the ladies and me and my wet wazoo head to the Jungle Trek. We see bats (without the glass), tigers and some beautiful birds.
Now its on to Africa. A few pictures along the way, along with a cool show by the African drummers. We take a trip on KS. The poachers, of course, are still after Little Red. Man those guys never learn!
We see lots of animals, including DWs and Cookies favorites: giraffes, up close and personal! A rickety bridge that sways scares my wet pants off! I dont remember that one!

After the Safari, we explore some of the trail, and we FINALLY see the Gorillas. Actually three of them, one after the other. Very cool but wait what is that smell?
P-E-W!!! Is that the gorillas? Man!

After the nice experience, we realize that the only reason we werent sick to our stomachs with the gorilla aroma is that we havent had lunch! Thankfully, were in the perfect location: Tusker House! One of our favorite counter restaurants. DW has salmon, while I enjoy a wrap and Cookie has nuggets. BTW, the wrap comes with Corn Chowder. Im hesitant to try it at first, but I do and Mmmmm, Me like it!

Its now the afternoon, and we carry on towards Camp Minnie-Mickey for the Lion King show, stopping for some frozen lemonade along the way. We notice then that the ropes for the parade have been put and, since its almost time, we find a nice spot and watch it. The animal floats are ingenious. Of course, half of the parade is made up of families (Cookie actually asks Daddy, who are those characters? When I explain, she says Oh, so thats why I havent seen them in a movie! :rofl: ).
After the parade, we head to the Lion King show, where were seated in the Giraffe section (DW and Cookie love it), just as it starts to pour. We learn the sound it makes (who knew they actually made sounds!). The show is awesome. Very well done, and the acrobats are great. Cookie loves it.
After that, we stop for pictures with Minnie and others. At this point, since its close to 5:30 PM, we decide to exit AK and head to Epcot for my DDE card and the rest of the evening. So the ladies and me and my still-wet wazoo exit and hop on the bus.
At Epcot, after getting the card, we get a stroller (to pro-actively deal with tired child later). We head to the Land, to check out the location of Soarin and to see its status.
Well, the status is BURSTING WITH PEOPLE!

We now stroll leisurely towards Mexico. Today is EMH day at Epcot. We think about it, but decide against it, since well be here tomorrow. We visit the Mexico pyramid, where we ride the River of Time ride, traveling back in time to the Mexico of the late 70s / early 80s (check out the bathing suits and hairstyles in the beach scene!).
Our trip takes us to Norway, where we ride the Maelstrom, then exit to stake a nice spot close by to watch IllumiNations. I get a nice (though watery) Capuccino for DW and soft drinks for me and Cookie to enjoy with some pastries, while we enjoy the show. Its awesome, of course. This was THE fireworks show at WDW, until Wishes, and it hasnt lost its ability to awe. Great!

As the EMH guests keep arriving, we exit the park. At the bus station, we wait for a second bus, since were not in the mood for standing.

Uneventful return to the sanctity of POFQ, where we freshen up, and after a Pink-lemonade break, the ladies drift to sleep. I watch a little TV before going to sleep (ESPN! ESPN, please!), stopping along the way on the Top 7 Must-Sees, with the squeaky-voice girl. She tries hard, but man, I miss Christa.
Tomorrow Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Stay Tuned!